neurokinin-a and Hypertension

We investigated expression of tachykinin peptides neurokinin A, neurokinin B, and substance P within urethras of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and determined if a traditional Chinese herbal mixture, THC-002, decreased them.. Ten- and 40-week-old male SHRs were randomly separated into three groups (n = 12 each). Rats of one group were given orally 20 ml 0.9% NaCl solution per kg body weight daily for 1 week. One hour later, each received a similar volume of water. Rats in the second group were also given saline. One hour later, each received 20 mg THC-002 per kg body weight. The third group was untreated. The urethras were removed and separated into prostatic and non-prostatic regions and analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (n = 6) and immunohistochemistry (n = 6).. In 40-week-old untreated SHRs, neurokinin B mRNA and protein, and substance P mRNA in prostatic urethras were significantly higher compared to the 10-week-old ones. Neurokinin A mRNA and protein, and substance P protein of the 40-week-old saline-loaded prostatic urethras were significantly higher compared to the 40-week-old untreated ones. In 40-week-old untreated SHRs, the non-prostatic urethral neurokinin B protein was significantly higher compared to the 10-week-old ones. In 40-week-old, saline-loaded SHRs, neurokinin A protein of the non-prostatic urethras was significantly higher compared to 40-week-old the untreated ones. In 40-week-old SHRs, THC-002 significantly decreased the expression of the urethral tachykinins, except for non-prostatic urethral neurokinin A mRNA.. Aging and saline-loading increased the expression of urethral tachykinin mRNAs and peptides. THC-002 partially decreased them.

Topics: Aging; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Hypertension; Male; Models, Animal; Neurokinin A; Neurokinin B; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; RNA, Messenger; Sodium Chloride; Substance P; Urethra

To investigate possible mechanisms of action of THC-002 (HARNCARE), a galenical produced from the traditional Chinese herbal mixture Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan, which has been reported to improve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients.. Forty-five female SHRs were randomly separated into three groups. Two groups were given 20 ml physiological saline solution (PSS) per kg-body weight orally daily for 1 week. An hour after the administration of PSS, one of the groups received 20 mg THC-002 per kg body weight, and the other a similar volume of THC-002-free saline. The third group received no treatments. The bladders were analyzed by real time RT-PCR (n = 6) and immunohistochemistry (n = 3) for the expression of tachykinins and P2X3 and TRPV1 receptors. Cystometric investigation (n = 6) was conducted after intravesical instillation of saline followed by 5 mg/ml ATP solution.. Treatment with PSS caused and upregulation of tachykinins and P2X3 and TRPV1 receptors, which was prevented in the group treated with THC-002. In the normal (non-treated) and non-THC-002-treated SHRs, instillation of the ATP solution decreased voiding interval, micturition volume, and bladder capacity compared to the instillation of saline. However, in the THC-002-treated SHRs, ATP instillation had no effect.. In SHRs, THC-002 reduced the bladder expression of tachykinins and P2X3 and TRPV1 receptors, and inhibited ATP-induced detrusor overactivity. These effects may explain part of its beneficial effects on LUTS.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Administration, Oral; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Female; Hypertension; Immunohistochemistry; Neurokinin A; Neurokinin B; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Receptors, Purinergic P2; Receptors, Purinergic P2X3; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Substance P; Tachykinins; TRPV Cation Channels; Urinary Bladder; Urinary Bladder, Overactive; Urination

The effects of repeated sensory stimulation (electro-acupuncture) and physical exercise (running) on open-field behaviour and on hippocampal concentrations of neuropeptide Y, neurokinin A, substance P, galanin and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-like immunoreactivities were studied in WKY (wistar-Kyoto) and SHR (spontaneously hypertensive) rats. Significantly higher concentrations of substance P-like immunoreactivity, neurokinin A-like immunoreactivity and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity were found in the hippocampus immediately after 3 weeks of treatment (electro-acupuncture and running), but not 1 week after the last (tenth) changes in neuropeptide concentrations were similar in the two rat strains. Open-field behaviour was significantly reduced during the treatment period in both strains. There were significant negative correlations between behaviour and neuropeptide concentrations in SHR rats, suggesting interdependency with sympathetic activity. It is proposed that the effects of electro-acupuncture and physical exercise in rats are related to increases in neuropeptide Y, neurokinin A and substance P in the hippocampus.

Topics: Animals; Depression; Electric Stimulation; Electroacupuncture; Exploratory Behavior; Galanin; Hippocampus; Hypertension; Male; Neurokinin A; Neuropeptide Y; Neuropeptides; Physical Exertion; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Rats, Inbred WKY; Substance P; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide